Around 4,200 farmers have committed suicide in 14 years of BJD rule in the State,” said Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Prasad Harichandan while addressing farmers here on Monday. Harichandan said both the Centre and the State have failed to help the farmers of the State. “Both the Governments had promised the voters to give bonus on paddy and other crops, but in vain,” he added.
He said the western Odisha farmers faced distress sale of paddy due to lack of procurement policy of the Government. Due to State’s lackadaisical attitude, the farmers could not get proper price for their paddy and other crops, he added. The Congress stalwart also protested land Acquisition Ordinance promulgated by the BJP Government at the Centre. He said the ordinance would dilute the very spirit of Gram Sabha and help the industrialists at the cost of common people’s interest. Among others, former Chief Minister Hemanand Biswal and Jharsuguda MlA Naba Das participated in the rally.